Spanish Root Words

duenna

elderly woman chaperon of a young lady; governess

El Dorado

fabulously rich land that 16th century explorers dreamt of; place of fabulous abundance, wealth, or opportunity

guerilla

fighter in an irregular military unit engaging in sabotage or harassment

mesa

flat topped rocky hill with steep sides

armada

fleet of warships

comradery

friendship, rapport, and good will, as among fellow soldiers

cargo

goods transported by a ship or plane

bodega

grocery store; wineshop

castanets

hand instruments clicked together to accompany music or dancing

vaquero

headsman; cowboy; buckaroo

olla podrida

highly seasoned meat and vegetable stew

bravado

pretense of bravery

embargo

prohibition

siesta

rest or nap, usually after midday

picador

rider on horseback in a bull fight who lances the bull to weaken its neck and shoulder muscles

fiesta

saint's day celebrated with processions and dances; festival; holiday

cafeteria

self-service or counter service restaurant; offering that invites consumers to make varied choices

peccadillo

slight offense; small fault

burro

small donkey used as a pack animal

squad

small military unit; team; small group formed for a joint effect

stampede

sudden wild headlong rush (as of cattle or people)

dulcina

sweetheart; inamorata

pimento

thick-fleshed pepper used for stuffing olives and as a source of paprika

taco

tortilla folded around a filling such as meat cheese or lettuce

renegade

traitor; turncoat; deserter; defector; apostate

senorita

unmarried Spanish or Spanish speaking woman; young lady; girl; Miss

pampa

vast, treeless, grassy plain, especially in Argentina; prarie

bronco

wild or half-wild horse

grandee

1. nobleman of the highest rank 2. person of emminence

peon

1. unskilled worker; landless laborer 2. worker kept in servitude to repay a debt

arroyo

1. water-carved, often dry, gully 2. brook; creek

mantilla

1. woman's light scarf worn over the head and shoulders 2. short cloak or cape

serviche

appetizer of raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice

indigo

blue dye

desperado

bold, dangerous criminal

sombrero

broad-rimmed high crowned hat of felt or straw

mustang

bronco (wild or half wild horse)

toreador

bullfighter

matador

bullfighter assigned to kill the bull

cabana

cabin-like shelter at a beach or pool

conquistador

conqueror

escapade

daring or unconventional act; adventurer, caper; prank

canyon

deep narrow valley with steep walls, often with water flowing through it

incommunicado

deprived of communication with others, as in prisoners

aficionado

devoted follower of some sport or art;fan;devotee

tortilla

disk of unleavened corn or wheat bread

temblor

earthquake

Latino

Latin American

gaucho

South American Cowboy

senor

Spanish or Spanish speaking man; Gentleman; Mr.; Sir

barrio

Spanish speaking neighborhood

picaro

adventurer; rogue; vagabond; wanderer

key

island or reef; often of coral

calaboose

jail, especially a local one

embarcadero

landing place; wharf; quay

galleon

large ship used in war and trade

macho

man exhibiting machismo (strong sense of masculinity stressing assertiveness, aggressiveness, physical might, domineering behaviour, etc.

senora

married Spanish or Spanish speaking woman; lady; Mrs.; Madam

hidalgo

member of the minor nobility (below the grandee)

caudillo

military dictator in Spanish-speaking countries

olio

mixture; hodgepodge; medley

sierra

mountain range having an irregular or serrated outline

stevedore

one who loads or unloads ships

patio

paved outdoor dining or lounging area adjacent to a house; inner courtyard open to the sky

mestizo

person of mixed American Indian and European ancestry

pueblo

1. Native American village of the southwestern US 2. communal dwelling in such a village

bolero

1. Spanish dance with sharp turns, stamping and sudden pauses with one arm arched over the head; music 3/4 time for this dance 2. loose waist length jacket worn open at the front

poncho

1. blanket-like cloak with a slit in the middle for the head 2. waterproofed and hooded raincoat of similar shape

adobe

1. brick of sun-dried clay and straw 2. structure made of such bricks

junta

1. council for legislation or administration 2. group of military officers controlling a government after a coup d'etat

caballero

1. gentleman;gallant;cavalier 2. horseman

junto

1. group of persons joined for a common purpose;clique;group of plotters;faction;cabal

bonanza

1. large and rich mine 2. source yielding an often unexpectedly rich return

hacienda

1. large plantation or ranch 2. main house on such an estate

Chicano

American of Mexican descent

flotilla

small fleet; fleet of small vessels

picaresque

to be adventurous, rogue like, or prone to wandering

manana

tomorrow; the indefinite future